Introducing...

so there is another reason that I have been a rubbish blogger, as well as decorating (crappy excuse)
I'm pleased to introduce you to my (1st) little kicky, wiggly bean, due in March, we are very excited!
So we haven't been completely lazy, we've been baby making dontcha know!


I am sewing though, I promise. Not that I need to defend myself, but I need to convince myself to blog more often!
I will. On maternity leave. Because on maternity leave, its just like a holiday, right?! Okay, I'd better stop dreaming...

I love this...so cute

Doing fun things and avoiding boring things...

I know, i'm rubbish. August! As if that was the last time I posted!

Well, I do have an excuse. We have been decorating. Although you would have thought we would have a finished house (or at least a finished room) by now...but ohhhh nooooo.

You see, decorating isn't my thing. I kind of just stand there with a hammer/sand paper/ screwdriver looking gormless, staring in to space, whilst Dan does all the boy work.

Cos thats his thing.

My thing, is to start sewing projects and not finish them.

Here is a list of things I have started and not finished.

• http://www.purlbee.com/felt-flower-winter-wreath
• 2 x bears for workmates new babies
• A diary cover for my boss' birthday (it's her birthday today...eeek)

I also have no digital camera (it got broken during the move) so I can only secretly steal the work camera and take photos under my desk. And the lighting under the desk isn't too good.

So here's a snippet of what will be the bears...

Here is a snippet of what I want my house to look like...

....but it doesn't. Big reason being that I just stand there and look gormless.

It actually looks like this:

Normal Service will resume shortly...

Please ignore dodgy decorating clothes...

Spring Break

I have been having a little bit of a break...as you may have noticed...

I always seem to be very busy in the Spring, although it doesn't seem that I have done anything differently than usual.

Very excitingly, me and Dan are buying our first house, and i'm very wrapped up in preparing, packing, signing a million forms, and mentally decorating every room. Of course, i can not afford to actually decorate any of it, but I can dream..

I am kind of liking the mis-match of the fabrics from Osbourne & Little although i need to find a much much cheaper alternative!

I have been visiting every local auction and charity shop searching out little bargains.

My most recent being a Lloyd Loom blanket box and chair. I was extremely excited when I researched the chair and found out it was called a 'Louise' chair! It was fate.

I have also bought some beautiful kitchen items including a pretty china cake stand and tea set. Even if I am not posh...at least I can pretend.

I will post the photos soon (taken with my new camera from an auction), as Dan doesn't appreciate the prettiness as much as you guys will!

So whilst mentally decorating, I think the new Amy Butler Software will come in very handy...the items look gorgeous. Whether I can actually create them is another thing.

I know I really should be spending the money on solicitors etc, but this is much more fun.

Also for any northerners (or pretend northeners like me), I have just come across a great looking craft fair in Sheffield for July, which i plan to attend and probably spend yet more money...

Oh Dear...

Oh my...

Oh my...

Oh my!Savings account - nil, Ribbons Galore - one.

I dare you to try and not spend anything...

Bug love

Back down south where I come from, in a little town I grew up in is Tring Zoological Museum.

Growing up, we all seemed to think this museum was normal.

However, on meeting out of town folk, maybe this Museum isn't so normal! You see, this museum is full of stuffed dead animals. Hundreds of them.

Back in Victorian times, Lord Rothschild felt it would be a good idea to go hunt, kill and stuff everything.

I mean everything. Elephants, Polar Bears, Tigers, Birds, Dogs and Fish.

Now although this may seem a bit wrong...okay very wrong, some of this stuff if actually quite cool and interesting. Especially the cabinets and cabinets full of bugs and butterflies.It even has fleas in clothes, I kid you not. (I won't subject you to them but here's a pic if you are really gross)

I dreamt about it last night, and now i'm having a bit of bug love. It's probably just a fleeting fancy and the bug love will pass in a couple of days. (I would also like to point out that I never ever ever feel Bug Love when said bugs are in my house)

But this evening I have been working on one...in yes, you guessed it, felt. I'm still loving the felt.

Yes that's right, I was even organised to sketch it first (like a five yr old, I might add) and didn't just go at it freestyley like I normally do.
So I don't know where this will take me...but watch this space.

On another note, I though I would update you on some thing I was working on during Christmas. For once I wasn't just sitting eating massive tins of chocs. I managed to sew too...whilst wedging the tin of chocs under one arm.

These were meant to on a diary cover, but as usual I never got round to finishing it. So it's not finished and sitting in a pile of other unfinished things.

There goes one of my New Years Resolutions ay?

Toodle loo for now x

Tsk tsk

I am having a lazy sunday.

This morning I ventured out towards the Yorkshire Dales. I didn't exactly get far though, although I did end up in a lovely little village called Saltaire. It has a beautiful old wool mill that is now converted in to a gallery and shops. It has been voted the UK's most unique place to visit. Hmm, i'm not so sure about that...I have definitely visited some much more 'unique' and 'bizarre' places in the UK, but that's another story.

But if you are ever visiting us oop here in t'north (wow, i think I might finally be picking up the Yorkshire lingo), then pop to Saltaire for a wander. It's where David Hockney was born don't cha know?! It had some fantastic pieces of his work there, including his fabulous photomontages....very clever.

Now I have cooked, eaten and now extremely full. I can't bring myself to get up and wash the dishes. Now is definitely rest time. Now is definitely lazy Sunday.

I have been having a little wander round blogsville and stumbled upon Tsk Tsk. The name kinda sums up what dan is saying to me tonight, as I'm not a pretty sight and just simply can't move!I'm liking her work, very cute and definitely my kinda thing. Nice, bright and simple. If you are having a lazy day like me, go check her out, come on...i've even given you the link so it only take one click! ;o)

I just need to show you these!

Wow, no post for a month, then 2 in one day!

I just needed to show you these, because I am in love with them. They are soo beautiful!Please check out Miss Frog in the Fog, her work is amazing and sends me on major craft envy!

I hope she doesn't mind me showing her work. (Evelyne, please let me know if you would like me to remove)

I've been a bit AWOL

We have a lodger. Well a kind of lodger. A newly single friend. A friend in need is a friend indeed and all that.

So anyway, this means that my craft/blog room has been out of bounds for a month.

A month! Eeek!

It's been tough! I have been close to palpitations and rocking from lack of craftiness hee hee!

I have managed to create some little things in my living room, whilst driving Dan crazy with buttons and felt scattered over the couch and floor!

My friend from work has left to go travelling the world. I made her these...a little passport cover and luggage tag out of felt, although after I made them, I realised they probably wouldn't survive a backpacking trip round the world!

Please excuse the photos (this is another reason for not blogging), I hate this poor winter light and am really struggling to take good pics. If anyone has any tips for taking photos in poor light, I would love the help!!

On another completely different note, I am thinking of becoming a redhead. Well a gingery red.
I have been blonde all my life but feel that I need a change, even just for a few weeks.
But im scared. And will probably cry once it's done. But then be fine.

Dan says yes go for it.
Everyone at work says nooo! They think i'm crazy to want to be ginger, but I have always found redheads attractive.

Here are the colours I like. Whaddya think bloggy pals? I have asked everyone else, so why not you creative guys!?! p.s. I kinda like the bottom one for the photo too, very cool and great colours with the blue sky.

New Year and back to reality...

Well, I finally thought it was time to get back to blogging after a wonderful break away. Back to reality now I guess...

I had such a lovely time during the christmas holidays, spending time with family and friends.Here I am with (from left to right) mum, big sis, littlest little sis, me, big little sis and my niece on christmas day.

It is so nice to have all of that time off to relax and see people you haven't seen in so long. Visits are normally such a rush, and new years resolution is to spend much more time with friends and family.

So Christmas and New Year was great. No arguments over Pictionary (which is amazing for us) and lots of food and drink.

I got some wonderful presents including a bread maker. I think I may be wearing it out already but it is great. If you ever buy one, i recommend it (Panasonic sd255). The bread is soo good.

I also gave some good presents, if I do say so myself, including a great Pashmina for my big sis. My big sis is definitely the posh one (the only posh one I would like to add) in the family, so the Pashmina was great. I bought it from a wonderful artist Candice Wren. Please check out her website, her pieces are really affordable too and so unique. I am particularly loving this yellow bow number which may be on my next wish list!

Said sis was very happy and wore it all day. Unfortunately, the top photo was one of the only photos I got of her all day. She is just far too posh to pose don't you know.

Bye for now x

I need these...

That's right, not want, I need!

Shame I spent all my wages on Christmas presents and food!

Mushroom crazy

I think I might be going a bit mushroom crazy.

Maybe it's because it's cold and damp.

Maybe it's because I have been having them in almost every meal this week.

Whatever it is, I'm liking the look of them. However, the kind i like the look of are the ones that fairies live in. The one's that don't actually exist.

I'm also going a bit felt crazy. After my recent swap, I am loving using it. Its so easy to use. No fraying, no neatness needed (perfect for me).

I have had these handbag clasps laying about for ages and was wondering what to do with them, so this was a bit of an experiment. It's not finished yet, but here's a glimpse anyway.

I'm thinking of getting a chain handle that clips on and clips off. (Anyone know where i can get them?)

The clasp opens and there is another mini purse attached inside. I still haven't got the hang of these clasps with the glueing but I'm sure it will come to me in time!
I felt it needed something else. Less is more is not a concept i use often.

So I thought I would make a charm to hang off of it. This is my effort! It's abuot 5cm high.

I think it's too big though. So maybe it will be a keyring. Or maybe a pin cushion. or maybe I will use it as a charm.

As always, I can never decide on which one to do!

Also on the mushroom front, I'm a bit in love with these. So cute. (Click on the pic for the link to them on Etsy)

Bye for now x

My back tack craftiness...

I have had such a lovely but busy weekend, seeing friends, new and old and getting more and more excited about christmas.

I have been crafty too...flitting from one project to the next, getting bored with one, and starting another, nothing new for me. (I will update you on them in a couple of days)

So I was very surprised that I managed to finish a swap and send gifts that were actually finished!

I know I have been talking about this swap for a while now, but it's my first, so i'm a bit bit giddy about the whole thing!

I can now show you some of what I made...I hope you like? (Please excuse the millions of photos!)

Above and below is my christmas tag. I made some cover buttons for Rebecca to use on her own craft projects.

Frankincense - Something sensory

Meet Xiao Hou zi - little Monkey. She was not happy about having her photo taken, as you can see.

Frankincense needed to be sensory, so she jingles and jangles when you shake her!

Gold - Something sparkly

Gold was a tricky one for me. It had to sparkle (obviously) but I just wasn't sure how to portray it.

I wanted something that wasn't just christmassy, and could be used all year round.

My final idea was a diary and address book with just a little sparkle.

Diary An autumn (or fall for non british folks) tree with gold heart leaves

A little gold heart bookmark (opened on my birthday just so you know hint hint hee hee)

Address Book


Silver Heart flowers, I think you can just about see them...

Myrhh - a gift for your 'swapee'

Well Myrhh...um, well i forgot to take photos. Wow, i amaze myself at how dopey I am sometimes.

But it was a wreath, made from fabric flowers. This was the one that caused me nightmares...i just hope it made it okay to Rebecca without falling apart. I will ask her to send me photos!

Well, it's late and I must get ready for the oncoming week of work *stamps feet and has a tantrum*, until my next post, toodle looo x